B Team

From the outset of the 05/06 season it was clear that the Mavericks B team had the ability to do well. The team saw a restructuring process when compared with the previous B team, this seasons B team was built around a strong backbone of veteran BUIHA players accompanied by new/returning players.

The first half of the season saw the Mav’s B team get off to a flying start that soon turned into a steady winning streak. The leadership of Mike Sturrock and Adam Bratley along with the coaching of Simon Hopkins seemed to have produced an unbeatable Division 2 side.

By February the B team had pulled through some tough matches, often short benched but still managing to score double figures. Division 2 North seemed wrapped up with no other team within range of catching up.

The Mav’s B team headed into the Div 2 National Championships with huge expectations and the chance to face the southern giants of Southampton and Cardiff. The Mavericks managed to fend off the extreme pace of Southampton and to hold a draw with Cardiff in the group stages. In the knockout stages Manchester were disposed of in a familiar fashion and a rematch was set with Cardiff. In the B team’s only loss of the 05/06 season they were beaten by one goal by a larger and more physical Cardiff A team.

One trophy out of two for the B’s this season, not ideal but still a success from the undisputed best B team in the BUIHA.

Andy Duke